Poppin' Tags: Michael Bastian for Barneys New York

When we heard Michael Bastian was designing a line of workplace-ready suits and haberdashery exclusively for Barneys New York (at an attractive price point, no less) we simply had to go straight to the man himself. Bastian told GQ yesterday:

"Of all the men's clothing classifications, tailored clothing is the most interesting to me at the moment. There's a real sea-change happening in this area right now. Now that many men are not required to wear a suit to work, we're seeing a whole new generation of guys who are approaching the suit in a more modern way: they're treating it more as a fashion choice than as something they are forced to wear, which changes everything.

Ten years ago, if you went to a bar after work, it was the guy in jeans and a casual shirt who stood out in the sea of suits. But now that everyone is wearing more casual clothes to work, it's the guy in a well-cut suit and tie who really stands out and gets the attention.

The suit has evolved from 'have to wear' to 'want to wear' but it can't be that anonymous baggy 'going to work' suit everyone remembers their fathers wearing. It's got to have a slim, modern fit, and the details men expect from a designer line: like great Italian fabrics, real shirting linings, genuine horn or pearl buttons, and pick stitching along the seams. And the fact that we're able to offer this at a new opening price makes it even more attractive."

The collection is set to launch in mid-February, so all you punch-the-clock type cats with a 9-5 suit game, start lining up today, Basty's back.

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